Antibacterial therapy is effective for treating most types of periodontal disease. While administering prescription gum infection antibiotics, one should make sure that the complete medicine course is taken as directed by the periodontist.
As we are all aware, dental hygiene is the key tip to maintain optimal dental health. In addition to regular brushing and flossing, one should go for dental cleaning at least twice in a year. Doing so helps in getting rid of the deposited plaque from the gum line. Even after practicing proper dental care tips, many people are diagnosed with gum disease. Those who smoke or eat too many sweets are at a higher risk of developing gum diseases than others. Since the causal organism is bacteria, antibacterial therapy is adopted for treatment of the dental problem.
When to Take Antibiotics for a Gum Infection
Gum disease is listed as one the most commonly reported medical problems worldwide. It usually starts with a mild inflammation of the gum tissues (or gingivitis), and then spreads to the adjacent gum, bone, and areas surrounding the teeth. As per statistics, 19 out of 20 people experience gum inflammation at one point or the other in their life. Those who do not follow dental hygiene end up with mild to severe conditions, like gingival abscesses, periodontal abscesses, and periodontitis. The notable gum infection symptoms include reddened gums, bleeding gum, gum recession, bad breath, and at times, loose teeth.
According to dental experts, gum infection is the prime cause for releasing bacterial strains in the bloodstream. And if the condition is left untreated for a long time, it increases the risk of blood infection and infection to internal organs. Considering this, treatment for gum infection is necessary to avoid further complications. Many a time, antibiotics are not recommended as bacteria become resistant to the drugs after frequent usage. Some of the gum infection cases that are treated with antibiotics include advanced gum disease, necrotizing ulcerative gum disease, and periodontal diseases that are non-responsive to other treatments.
Types of Antibiotics for Treatment of Gum Infection
The approaches for gum disease treatment are decided according to the severity of the infection. While patients who are in the initial stages receive only antibiotic medications; others may be suggested with combined treatment strategies, in which root planning and scaling procedures are performed in conjunction with antibiotics. The antibacterial medications kill the causal pathogens, thus enhancing the effectiveness of the therapeutic procedures. For more serious cases, periodontal surgery is conducted as the last treatment approach.
Based on the working mechanism, two types of formulations are used for antibacterial gum infection treatment, namely, antiseptics and antibiotics. The former is available as oral rinse and is effective for preventing onset of gum infection; while the antibiotics are administered after diagnosis of gum disease. To put in simple words, antiseptics work as a precautionary measure, and antibiotics are effective for treatment purpose. In some cases, the periodontist prescribes both forms of medication for addressing gum infection. For your reference, some of the best antibiotics for a gum infection are highlighted below.
- Antibiotic Gel: Doxycycline and metronidazole are the prime ingredients used in this type of antibiotic for gum infection. The gel is delivered under the infected gum by means of injections.
- Antibiotic Chip: Formulated with chlorhexidine or other antiseptic agent, it is directly placed in the affected gum. Within a span of one week or so, the antibiotic chip gets dissolved naturally.
- Antibiotic Powder: One of the long-lasting antibiotics for gum infection is available in the form of powder. Prepared with minocycline, the dentist squirts powder over the affected gum areas, which gets dissolved within 20 – 21 days.
- Antibiotic Pill: A popularly prescribed oral antibiotic pill for treatment is tetracycline. A 500 mg dose for seven days is effective for periodontal disease treatment in adults.
To sum up, types of antibiotics recommended for gum infection include doxycycline, metronidazole, minocycline, and tetracycline. In addition, penicillin and ciprofloxacin may be prescribed based on the bacterial strain. Provided that gum diseases and infections are diagnosed in the early stages, they can be treated successfully with antibiotics in conjunction with other procedures.
Nevertheless, it is best to prevent infection in the first place, rather than dealing with the symptoms and following home remedies. Some of the effective ways to minimize gum disease are drinking ample amounts of water, avoiding too many sweets, smoking cessation, and flossing at regular intervals.
